Lasciviousness

by Micky Galloway

We are studying the “works of the flesh” in our Wednesday evening Bible study on the book of Galatians. Lasciviousness is identified as such in Galatians 5:19 along with fornication and uncleanness. The inspired writer said that those who engage in any of the works of the flesh, “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). Very simply put, we cannot go to heaven if we continue the practice of these sins! Keep in mind, Paul was writing to Christians. Today those who profess to be Christians often commit this sin with blatant disregard for moral conviction and without any feeling of shame or regard for the sensitivity of others. Let us be reminded that lasciviousness is a sin! Whether we ourselves are guilty directly of this sin or whether we are the cause of others committing this sin, we must know what it is and how it is manifested.

What is lasciviousness? The term “lasciviousness” is found in Mark 7:22; II Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; I Peter 4:3; and Jude 4. The original word is translated “wantonness” in the KJV in Romans 13:13 and II Peter 2:18. Lasciviousness “denotes excesses, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness … The prominent idea is shameless conduct” (Vine). The Pulpit Commentary says of the word, “Lasciviousness or wantonness is scarcely an adequate rendering of ‘aselgia’ in this connection: It appears to point to reckless shamelessness in unclean indulgences.” Arndt and Gingrich uses such expressions as “licentiousness,” “debauchery,” “indecent conduct” with which to define the uses of the word. These are words we rarely use and consequently, many do not know what it is. But, we better know, for it will keep us out of heaven!

Lasciviousness is an attitude of mind and it manifests itself in the wrong kind of behavior. It is lewd and wanton thinking, mostly sexual in nature in which the body becomes the instrument for the gratification of some lustful activity.

In Mark 7:22, Jesus lists lasciviousness with several other sins as those things which proceed out of the heart of man, and as that which defiles him. These thoughts, intents, and attitudes often manifest themselves into actions such as fornication, adultery, and murder. Jesus said these come from the heart. The wisdom writer said, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Paul anticipates his regret if, when he comes to Corinth, he finds those who have not repented of their uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness (II Corinthians 12:21). In Ephesians 4:19, some had given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness and greediness. They were “past feeling,” they had reached a state of character where there was no shame to restrain their behavior.

Our society is beset by a lack of restraint and often encourages every form of immorality. The fear of hell and the hope of heaven constitute the greatest restraining and compelling influences upon the child of God. After Paul spoke of the “judgment seat of Christ,” he said, “Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Corinthians 5:11). If one does not believe in a God of wrath that punishes the evil doer, then there is nothing to prevent man from living by the standard the world dictates.

The manifestations of lasciviousness are abundant. On almost every TV program there is vulgar language and lurid filth that is designed to condition our thinking to accept without offense that which we ought to find shocking. Has the age of the blush, caused by that which ought to make us ashamed really passed (cf. Jeremiah 5:15)? The Corinthians ought to have been ashamed of their toleration of fornication among them, but in spite of it they were puffed up (cf. I Corinthians 5:2). One can hardly go to Wal-Mart or the grocery store without being faced with women whose apparel (or lack of it) is scanty and revealing. We are expected to accept this as normal. Sadly, even “Christians” are involved in this same disregard for modesty as long as they are around the beach or community swimming pool. One can preach on II Timothy 2:9-10 and I Peter 3:3-4 and other such passages and some will leave and change nothing. “Well, I just don’t see anything wrong with it!”

Much of today’s music is designed to produce lewd, foul and dirty thoughts in the minds of the listeners. And who would deny that the modern dance is intended to promote such lewd and lustful thoughts? Lasciviousness is defined by Thayer as “wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” Vulgar jokes and unbecoming language are also a manifestation of lasciviousness. Young people, listen carefully. “Petting” (a word we seldom hear), is “to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Such careless display of affection is lasciviousness! While our friends often glorify it as “love,” the Bible calls it sinful.

The control that one is to exercise over his thoughts and intents, the keeping of one’s heart with all diligence, is essential as a safeguard against degenerating into the state of lasciviousness. We must bring our thoughts into captivity unto obedience to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5), that is, think like Christ wants us to think.

Paul wept over those whose God was their belly, whose glory was their shame, and who minded earthly things (Philippians 3:19). Their end was their destruction. The works of the flesh result in destruction and therefore those who practice such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”